Dec. 30, 2008
James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-269
NASA REPORT REVIEWS CREW SAFETY MEASURES DURING COLUMBIA ACCIDENT, RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENTS
HOUSTON -- NASA has completed a comprehensive study of crew safety
equipment and procedures used during the space shuttle Columbia
accident with recommendations for improving the safety of all future
human spaceflights.
A media teleconference will be held at 3 p.m. CST Tuesday to discuss
the report. To participate, reporters must contact NASA’s Johnson
Space Center newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 2 p.m. Space may
be limited.
Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live at:
http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio
The teleconference participants are Wayne Hale, deputy associate
administrator for strategic partnerships; astronaut Pam Melroy,
deputy project manager for the investigation team; Nigel Packham,
project manager for the investigation team; and Jeff Hanley,
Constellation program manager.
The Spacecraft Crew Survival Integrated Investigation Team report is
available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/reports
"The members of this team have done an outstanding job under difficult
and personal circumstances," said Johnson Space Center Director
Michael L. Coats. "Their work will ensure that the legacy of Columbia
and her heroic crew continues to be the improved safety of future
human spaceflights worldwide."
The team's final report includes 30 recommendations to improve
spacecraft design and crew safety. The recommendations cover a broad
range of subjects from crew training, procedures, restraints and
individual safety equipment to spacecraft design methods and
recommendations regarding future accident investigations.
NASA already has implemented some of the report's recommendations and
is evaluating others. A fact sheet describing actions that have been
taken or are in work by both the Space Shuttle Program and
Constellation Program as a result of the investigation is available
at the same web link as the report.
This was the first-ever in-depth crew survival study of a spaceflight
accident. The investigation was conducted by a multi-disciplinary
NASA team based at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The study team also
consulted experts outside of NASA for portions of its work.
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